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5 Ducats - Matthias II Vienna
| Issuer | Habsburg Monarchy (Holy Roman Empire) |
|---|---|
| Year | 1613-1618 |
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| Composition | Gold (.986) |
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| Obverse description | Log in to see details |
|---|---|
| Obverse script | Latin |
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| Reverse description | Crowned imperial double-headed eagle displayed, bearing on its breast the complex quartered arms of the Habsburg dynasty enclosed within an ornate heraldic shield. The eagle's wings are spread, each head surmounted by a separate crown beneath a large central imperial crown. The date appears in the upper field, and the circular Latin legend reading ARCHID AVS DVX BVRG CO TYR ZC continues around the periphery between beaded borders, citing the emperor's principal territorial titles as Archduke of Austria, Duke of Burgundy, and Count of Tyrol. |
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| Additional information |
Matthias II secured the Bohemian and Hungarian crowns before wresting the imperial title from his brother Rudolf II in 1612, a dynastic struggle that consumed nearly a decade of Habsburg energy. These large gold multiples were struck at Vienna primarily as presentation pieces and diplomatic gifts rather than circulating currency — at five ducats' weight in near-pure gold, they functioned as portable political statements exchanged at court.
KM#179 encompasses strikes across several years, and die workmanship varies noticeably within the type. The Vienna mint under Matthias was producing these on commission-style schedules rather than continuous runs.